Welcome to the online home of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC)

We are a private, non-profit corporation that provides resources and information to businesses operating in or entering the region by aiding in expansion, relocation and networking.

Our mission, to deliver the services and resources that enable companies to thrive, builds a stronger regional economy through the creation of high quality employment and enhanced public and private investment.

What We Do

Online, the EDC provides the data, demographics, daily business news, real estate listings and incentives that companies need to choose Western Massachusetts for business expansion and relocation.

Through our Home Field Advantage Program, the EDC is helping existing companies and industries to grow, by not only assisting when needed, but by proactively identifying and minimizing factors that impede growth.

The EDC advocates for legislation in Washington DC and Boston, our state capitol, to aid in economic and workforce development while protecting the investments of the region's companies.

In the news, the EDC takes firm positions on evolving issues of economic development, infrastructure and business legislation.

In Western Massachusetts, the EDC reviews major projects, prioritizes them and pursues funding.

In the conference room, the EDC meets with local brokers, business groups and developers regularly to coordinate efforts and increase regional development communication.

The EDC staffs and manages the regional Economic Development Partners, more than 25 representatives of local municipalities, universities, utility companies and economic agencies who meet regularly for idea and information exchange forums.

Choose Western Massachusetts

In Western Massachusetts, businesses are in the center of the Northeast's major markets while operating at lower costs, utilizing one of the nation's leading workforces and enjoying a more affordable, higher standard of living in any one of our urban, suburban, rural or college town settings.

Choose Western Massachusetts for:

Easy access to major markets, a ninety minute drive to Boston; two and a half hours to New York City. Bradley International Airport offers direct daily flights to 35 North American Cities through an average of 300 daily arrivals and departures of 15 carriers.

A national hub for higher education with more than 100,000 students attending 29 colleges and universities including the Universities of Massachusetts and Connecticut, in addition to some of the nation's most prestigious private schools.

Affordable, pre-permitted land and facilities within business parks, bustling metros and industrial hubs.

Low operatingcosts including wages up to 20% below other Northeastern metros, as well as lower land and significantly lower office rental costs. Competitive utility rates, tax exemptions and incentivesareavailable to companies interested in location or expansion.

Everything is closer than you think to our four distinct settings,(urban, suburban, rural and college town), all with average commutes within 20 minutes. North-South and East-West interstate highway connections through Interstates 91 and 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike). Bradley International Airport, several smaller airports, local Amtrak service and a major freight hub are also regional advantages.

High-Tech Infrastructure featuring state-of-the-art fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure for voice lines, high-speed data and Internet access. Springfield is a major switch hub of the Northeast and the home of switching centers for several major long distance telephone carriers. The city is also located at the crossroads of national and international fiber optic backbones serving the Northeast.

The Knowledge Corridor is a term for the Springfield Massachusetts - Hartford Connecticut region. Located just 25 miles apart, these cities share the Connecticut River, Interstate 91 and Bradley International Airport. Most importantly, this area is home to one of the best-educated work forces in the nation and the second largest population in New England.

29 Colleges and Universities

108,000 students

Prestigious schools including the Universities of Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as American International, Springfield, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges

The EDC Network of Partners

The EDC can connect your company to the agencies you need. From airports and other infrastructure companies to education and research institutions, the EDC maintains constant communication and collaboration with a large group of the state-wide and regional economic entities.

A partner of the EDC in international business relations, the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) works to expand the Massachusetts economy by marketing the state's businesses internationally through focused export promotion, attracting foreign investment and handling protocol as it relates to trade and investment. (A sister-agency of the Massachusetts Export Center.)

Global Connections

The EDC staff travels internationally to participate in targeted business opportunities and market our region abroad. We continuously work with our business partners, agencies from the U.S. and abroad, as well as international companies, to utilize the assets of Western Massachusetts within the global market.

Bradley International Airport (BDL)

The region's major airport, located 20 minutes from Springfield, offers more than 300 daily commercial flights to 35 North American cities through 15 carriers. Their international services include non-stop daily flights to Canada, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Mexico.

Approximately 19,000 daily travelers

Served by 15 airlines, including 2 low-fare carriers, and 9 major cargo carriers

Currently ranked 53rd of 176 North American airports for total passengers and 35th of 160 North American airports in terms of tons of freight and mail cargo handled*